Flynn Flies To Fernando's Bendigo Record

PRODIGIOUS talent Flynn confirmed his standing as one of the hottest young pups in training with a stunning track record breaking performance at Bendigo on Friday afternoon.

PRODIGIOUS talent Flynn confirmed his standing as one of the hottest young pups in training with a stunning track record breaking performance at Bendigo on Friday afternoon.

Trained by Harry Manolitsis, Flynn made it four wins from five appearances with Friday's 12-length record breaking romp in a sizzling 23.37, 1/100th faster than the previous 23.38 time-standard, set by the great Fernando Bale when winning his heat of the Bendigo Cup in 2015.

"To break any track record is a privilege but to break a Fernando Bale record with a pup that's had just a few starts is extra special – for me Fernando Bale and Brett Lee are the yardstick of our industry," said a delighted Manolitsis Monday morning.

"He's a very nice pup – he's got speed and strength, can do it at both ends and he's a very keen chaser. At his second start at Bendigo he ran 23.50 so he's improved about two lengths off that to break the record Friday so whilst you're always surprised to break a record, on his trials and previous efforts we thought he was capable of running that sort of time."

Whelped in November 2016, Flynn is a son of Kinloch Brae – his progeny enjoying a stellar run – and Jubilation, the dam a sister to Captivating, responsible for Group 1 Melbourne Cup runner-up Black Opium.

"His reports from the breakers were very encouraging and right through his pre-training he was showing us he's above average. In some of his early trials over 400m I put him with a race bitch that had won in 34.20 over the 595-metres at Sandown and Flynn would run her down. Not just once either, a handful of times. The night he got beat at Bendigo in November he did hurt himself so I turned him out for a month and the break did him good. His trials recently have been scary going into Friday's win."

Subject of some hefty offers, Flynn steps out at Ballarat this Wednesday evening, as Manolitsis prepares his star chaser for a tilt at the upcoming Western Districts Derby at the venue.

"The plan is for him (Flynn) to have a look at the track on Wednesday before going into next week's heats," he added.

"I don't like holding dogs back for races but if he's still on or under six wins in a few weeks we might look at the Launching Pad at Sandown for him. I think he'll really excel over the 500 yards around two turns – he's had a trial or two which have been exceptional.

"I can't fault the dog in any way really – everything about him so far is exactly what you like to see."

Manolitsis reports his Group 1 Sapphire crown winner Elevated is currently sidelined with a toe injury, suffered in last month's Group 2 Warragul Cup Final.

"She got into a lot of trouble in the Warragul Cup but her run was still very good with no luck," added Manolitsis.

"We are just seeing at the moment whether the toe will hold or whether it will have to come off but she's done more than enough already so if she doesn't come back at her best we'll just look to breeding with her.

"I said all along she's more important to me as a brood-bitch than anything else. She's very special."

 

 

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